Some Swiss towns plan to keep asylum-seekers away from public places such as swimming pools, playing fields and libraries, in a move human rights groups say is racist.
The curbs are aimed at preventing tensions with residents, officials say.
Asylum-seekers are to be housed in special centres, mainly former army barracks, and the first one has opened in the town of Bremgarten.
Switzerland's share of asylum-seekers is well above the European average.
Asylum laws were tightened in June.
Roman Staub, mayor of the town of Menzingen, said asylum-seekers should be banned from "sensitive areas" such as the vicinity of a school. "This is certainly a very difficult area, because here asylum-seekers could meet our schoolchildren - young girls or young boys," he said.
In Bremgarten, a church will also be off-limits to asylum-seekers.
Human rights groups are outraged, calling the measures racist, our correspondent reports.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said it was a principle that asylum-seekers should enjoy freedom of movement.
"They are in Switzerland legally and have committed no crime," spokesman Dan McNorton told our correspondent.
The government says the rules are not formal bans on movement - but admits its own department of immigration agreed the restrictions with town councils.
WANTING TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM MUSLIM ANIMALS IS NOT RACISM.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23599502
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